The US Department of Commerce has issued a final determination imposing duties on imports of tin mill products from China, Canada, and Germany, alleging that these countries are dumping subsidized tin mill products in the US market at prices below fair value. This has major implications for the domestic steel industry, especially in the Ohio River Valley region, which is heavily dependent on tin mill production.
Commerce Department Issues Final Dumping Determinations
On January 5th, 2023, the US Commerce Department announced final determinations in its antidumping duty and countervailing duty investigations, finding that imports of tin mill products from China, Canada, and Germany are being unfairly dumped in the US market at prices below fair value. [1] [2]
Specifically, Commerce found dumping margins ranging from 38.16% to 187.99% for China, 38.11% to 48.3% for Canada, and 82.21% to 148% for Germany. [3]
These findings allow the US to impose duties on imports from those countries to offset the dumping. A final decision on whether to impose the duties will be made by the US International Trade Commission (ITC) by February 21st. [4]
| Country | Dumping Margins |
|---|---|
| China | 38.16% to 187.99% |
| Canada | 38.11% to 48.3% |
| Germany | 82.21% to 148% |
Ohio Valley Steel Industry at Stake
The Commerce Department investigations and potential duties have major stakes for the domestic steel industry, especially tin mill operations in the Ohio River Valley region.
Tin mill facilities in the region have been under pressure from a flood of unfairly traded imports. In turn, this has threatened thousands of good-paying union jobs that form the backbone of many Ohio Valley communities. [5]
Given these economic impacts, steel industry groups and unions welcomed Commerce’s final determinations, while urging the ITC to finalize the duties.
Mark Glyptis, President of United Steelworkers Local 2911 representing Weirton Steel in West Virginia, testified at the ITC in support of duties, stating: “Illegal dumping has nearly destroyed the American tin mill industry, threatening thousands of jobs.” [6]
Meanwhile, politicians including Senators Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Joe Manchin of West Virginia also testified on the importance of addressing dumped imports to preserve Ohio Valley steel jobs. [7] [8]
Canada Objects to US Findings
While America’s domestic steel industry welcomed the Commerce rulings, the Canadian government strongly objected to the US findings regarding Canada.
Canada’s Trade Minister Mary Ng called the US conclusions “completely unfounded” and vowed to “vigorously contest this unfair determination using all means available.” [15]
Canada argues that its steel exports are fairly traded and reflect market prices. The US-Canada dispute threatens to exacerbate trade tensions between the two neighbors.
Outlook: ITC Ruling Will Decide on Final Duties
With Commerce’s final determinations in place alleging dumping, the fate of punitive duties now lies with the US International Trade Commission. The ITC will decide by February 21st whether the dumped imports have “materially injured” the US steel industry. [4]
If the ITC confirms material injury, that would clear the way for the imposition of duties on Chinese, Canadian and German tin mill imports intended to offset the effects of dumping.
The Ohio Valley steel industry sees the impending ITC ruling as pivotal, arguing that unfair import competition hashollowed out the region’s tin mill capacity. Restoring duties on dumped imports is viewed as essential to rebuilding the viability of Ohio Valley steel production. [5]
However, Canada strongly disputes the legitimacy of US trade remedy proceedings so far. This sets the stage for a tense next few weeks as Canada weighs its response and the ITC deliberates on whether to confirm final duties. The outcome carries high stakes for preservation of domestic steel industry jobs versus potential retaliation from key trading partners.
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